Most general managers blessed with perspective and experience will never gloat after a player move works out well for them, for reasons both tangible and intangible.
First, they understand that for every trade that turns out great — such as Cubs president Theo Epstein's acquisition of Jake Arrieta, who went on to win a Cy Young Award a couple of years later — they also may have their fair share of moves that go bust, such as Epstein's repeated efforts to find a shortstop while with the Red Sox.
And second, many of them believe that if you exult too much over a great deal, you invite the wrath of the baseball gods, who inevitably turn against you.
But there should be some acknowledgment of some of the best moves that proved integral in 2015, such as this dozen:
1. The Blue Jays' trade for Josh Donaldson: Toronto's GM at the time, Alex Anthopoulos, kept calling the Athletics to ask about Donaldson, and when Oakland finally blinked and asked for Brett Lawrie and others in return, the Jays moved quickly, taking advantage of an opportunity that other teams say they wish they had had.
Donaldson clubbed 41 homers and ranked third in the majors in WAR, led the Jays into the postseason and won the American League MVP award. Lawrie, on the other hand, already has been unloaded by Oakland, after one mediocre season with the Athletics.